Driving and Motability

There are over 1 million disabled motorists in the UK. Having your own vehicle through the Motability scheme may be the best option for you. You can either drive it yourself or have someone drive it for you.

Getting a vehicle through Motability

You can lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme if you’ve been awarded:

• the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for 12 months or more
• the enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for 12 months or more
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

You pay to join the scheme using the mobility components of your DLA or PIP. The scheme does not pay for your fuel, but does cover:

• insurance, including tyre and windscreen replacement cover 
• breakdown cover 
• vehicle tax

If you are not a member of Motability, you will have to cover the costs of owning your vehicle. 

Getting a Motability car (Citizens Advice)

Help with the cost of owning a vehicle

You do not need to be a member of Motability to:

• get exemption or discount on vehicle tax (GOV.UK)
• claim back the VAT if you pay to adapt a car (GOV.UK) 

Driving lessons

If you are a Motability customer, the charity may pay for up to 40 hours of driving lessons.

Learning to drive (Motability) 

If you’re not a Motability member, there is help available from:

Disability driving instructors

Help with the cost of driving lessons (Driving Mobility)

Adapting your car

Driving Mobility can assess what kind of adaptations you might need. There are regional driving assessment centres across the UK and many have outreach centres. As well as adaptations, they will also assess your ability to drive.

Ask them to advise you on who can fit your adaptation. You should always get at least 2 quotes on how much it will cost. 

Driving Mobility

Get the VAT (Value Added Tax) back on an adapted car (GOV.UK)

Blue Badges and parking

If your condition means that you find it hard to get around, you may be able to get a Blue Badge. This helps you park nearer to places you want to go. 

Apply for the Blue Badge scheme (GOV.UK)

Where Blue Badge holders can park (GOV.UK)

There is no right to appeal a Blue Badge decision but you can ask your local authority to review it.

BlueBadgeParking is a free, crowd-sourced, not-for-profit map of disabled parking around the world.

People's Parking helps disabled people find an accessible car park.

Discuss any aspect of being a disabled motorist in Scope's online community.